Altitudinal-zonal distribution of orb-weaver spiders (Aranei: Araneidae) of the Alekseevsky range (Primorsky Krai)

Abstract

New data on the species composition, abundance and altitudinal distribution of orb-weaver spiders (Aranei: Araneidae) on the Alekseevsky Ridge (Southern Sikhote-Alin, Primorsky Krai) are given in the pape. Using altitude profiling, material was collected from 300 m above sea level to 1660 m above sea level. 22 species of Araneidae belonging to 11 genera have been identified. The greatest species diversity (12 species) and abundance are noted in the lower part of the altitudinal profile at altitudes of 300-400 m above sea level. Here, in the valley broadleaf forests, the dominant species is Plebs sachalinensis, and in the wormwood-forb meadows, Alenatea wangi. The lowest species diversity and abundance were recorded at the highest altitude (1660 m above sea level). Here, in the area with mountain tundra, two species of spiders were caught: Aculepeira matsudae and P. sachalinensis. A widespread species in the study area is P. sachalinensis. It was found at all elevation levels in all habitat. A comparison of the spider population on the Alekseevsky Ridge with previously obtained data on the Livadiysky Ridge allowed us to establish that 10 genera (91.0%) out of 11 and 19 species (86.3%) out of 23 are common to the compared mountain ranges.